The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-12-16


Mounted upon square table
brought over from the bar of the court.
room by the courtesy of the judge and
the active assistance of the sheriff,
JEFF Tolliver. the fiddler, seated in 9
'split-bottomed" chair, was no more a
potentate than Fan was in her smaller
domain of the "set' in which she
danced. Disputed questions of execu.
ton of a particular ''change" were re.
ferred to her. and promptly settled to
the satisfaction of all concerned. But
it was after my own correct training
that she looked with the greatest vigil
lance and unwearied perseverance.
Every morning at daybreak she
would say, as she deity tied her bon
net-strings under her somewhat heavy
chin:
''Now ef they's another dance to-
night I'll learn you how to go thoo
thattair change that he was thess a
callun when we broke up. You're a
do-un firstrate! TouH git ut all after
spell, cf you keep on. H-yander's
Polly Ann waitun fur somebody.
Reckon you better go to 'er."
And then she would take sister Liz s
left arm-Buck always had the right
ARMAND looking back and smiling as
far as she could see me, she would
walk off as briskly and as fresh as if
she had been resting all the time cspe-
cially for this walk. Beyond a doubt,
Fanny Go-uns! you saved me from
much opportunity for gloomy con-
temptation of somebody's giddiness.
Great and rapidly growing giddiness.
in the opinion of many more people
than me. Dancing and talking and
laughing with that fellow Martin, that
all the town was crazy about. Taking
a long walk with him up to the little
old churchyard in the woods mile
and half from Sandtown if it was Il
foot! And then going fishing with
him in jack-boat! That was
the browning offense. Girls didn't
go fishing with men in jack-boats those
days. What had come over Old Bogus
Leatherwood? Where was his jeal-
ousy? Where was his superlative vigil
lance of former times? Iwould speak
to Buck about it, only the fellow is
asleep all day with the exception of an
hour or two before supper. when he is
galloping about the wooded hollows
east of Sandtown, or down to the
lower ferry where Martin and Hunter
Smith had spent the afternoon fiddling
and dancing for the amusement of the
community of the lower ferry and its
contiguous territory.
So l must needs to talk to Polly
herself And. not being able to catch
her out of the company of some of her
many admirers, resolve TO attack her
in her stronghold and when she snail
have not more than fairly dressed for
the evenings entertainment.
SO going in l happened to meet
Bogus Leatherwood himself He is
actually whistling; and, taking heart
from this unusual indication of placid
ity, make bold to ask him where
Polly is. And actually he tells me
that he doesn't know; and adds that
l am younger than he. and can run
and hunt her up if l want to see her!
Again, what had come over Bogus
Lcatherwood? Had he reached the
point where dotagc begins? And had
it taken such complete possession of
him as to put him dancing horn-pipe
last night-;a queer, odd. saltwater
dance for which he was rugged up in
black velvet Uniform that some say he
bought. and some say he hired, and yet
others that he had possessed all these
years! What a figure he cut! Not ex-
actly ludicrous. But outland;sh and
half barbaric. Judge Banks denounced
him roundly for such a caper. l am
told. Poor Judge Banks! He is said
to take deal of trouble for that big
old blaca-browed-
But softly! Here is Polly Ann.
She is startled and pleased to see mr..
How did enjoy the dance? Moder-
ately. thank you! With a great
amount of cool Indifference in that re-
ply, l fancy. Well. whats the matter?
What have l done no,c?
you've done a good deal that /
think you ortn't DONE" say, in a
blaze of righteous Indignation.
What? What is it? What have
done? Jist tell me thing I've DONE"
And she is so quiet, so se!f-possesscd
about it that pause to ask myself
whether she can really believe that
she has acted with prudent regard
for my feelings and my rights, by gum!
If so-If she really believe Mat--
why, Their!
said and what said. Suffice it that
we came again 10 an understanding.
''Dut won't stand this no more"
1 says, smiling, rs Bogus supper-bell
strikes its first jubiiant trial. Il
won't stan ut any more. Polly. You've
gut to quit ut right now"-with my
arm around her and her head upon
my shoulder.
She would never again! Never!
But Jim You must make me quit if
you see me. think really need
boss. Pap has directed erery thing
with us. always. You must do it. too.
l use to think he drore us! May be
mother Tin me drore him to boss us so
hard. You must watch me and keep
me straight
We were in the little hallway up
stairs between her room and that of
Bogus Leatherwood. 1 know Just
where! Ishould know just where if l